Johnie,
There is a deep dive in the morning leaving around 8:30/9:00ish. The shallow dives are in the PM around 1:00ish. On Saturday's they do only a 2-tank dive in the morning. Total bottom times are usually between 35-45 minutes. Overall single-tank trips usually take 1:15-1:30 hours. Sorry, I can't answer your question about the snorkeling trips. Enjoy your time at CSA!

The snorkeling trips from CSA typically leave at 11:00, 1:30 and 3:00, although that is during high season, and there may be fewer trips in low season. You can sign up for snorkeling the day prior. The mornings tend to have the smoothest water as sometimes the winds pick up in the afternoon. That also means that the afternoons have the highest likelihood of being cancelled due to bad weather.

Two per day at 8:30 and 1. The new boat is amazing!! The team is super and we had so much fun. They also will take you out lionfish "hunting" with a spear after the morning dive for $25 dollars. That was really, really fun! Also night dives are available if 4 or more sign up. We had a blast with these guys! I do not know about snorkeling.

First dive is about 9:00 and you are back by 11:00 at the latest. Second dive is 1:00 or 1:30 and you are back by 3:00 or so. I have had time to snorkel with my wife between the dives (I think that the snorkel trip leaves about 11 or 11:30).

...They also will take you out lionfish "hunting" with a spear after the morning dive for $25 dollars. That was really, really fun! ....

Kaityogill - that sounds great. I have been diving at Couples before (CN & CSA) and watched the DMs spear many a lionfish but have never been offered the weapon myself. I would love to do this. Is this something new? What resort did you do this at? We are headed to CTI and CSS in December - only 40 more days! Thanks.

Kaityogill - that sounds great. I have been diving at Couples before (CN & CSA) and watched the DMs spear many a lionfish but have never been offered the weapon myself. I would love to do this. Is this something new? What resort did you do this at? We are headed to CTI and CSS in December - only 40 more days! Thanks.

We're at CSA now and it is offered here but I'm not sure about the other resorts. One of the guys on our dive Monday did it and got 4 or 5 Lionfish. It wasn't offered last year when we were here in October but this year it's listed as an option on the board at the scuba hut.

Jstone1973, we are from Iowa! Quad cities!
We went lionfish hunting while at CSA only. We went out after the morning dives. It was $25 per person and well worth it! Brian said he was working on getting it to qualify as a PADI specialty which would be super cool! We split our stay with CN and the spear fishing was not offered at CN. They are not expecting you to spear them and have no fear so you can get close. If you miss, boy, can they disappear fast! You have to get it right the first time! Really fun!

Jstone1973, we are from Iowa! Quad cities!
We went lionfish hunting while at CSA only. We went out after the morning dives. It was $25 per person and well worth it! Brian said he was working on getting it to qualify as a PADI specialty which would be super cool! We split our stay with CN and the spear fishing was not offered at CN. They are not expecting you to spear them and have no fear so you can get close. If you miss, boy, can they disappear fast! You have to get it right the first time! Really fun!

Bummer!! My wife and I will be at CN June of next year. That sounds really cool. I know they are a major nuisance to the area as they kill a lot of other fish, but it would be fun to hunt them. We are from Marion, but we will be flying out of the Quad Cities. Can't wait.
My wife will be getting her OW and I will be going for AOW. Richard was great before. Hope to get him again!!

Wow, good question. The resort course is offered at no additional cost. As far as details, I would say, check the web site and look for any info dealing with diving. I know there is short book work, and some pool work, and then followed by a shallow, aprox. 35' dive. From there, it's up to you. Continue to get your Open Water rating or not. Can't wait to get wet!

Couples is the best place to give scuba a try to see if you like it as the introductory course is offered at no extra cost. There is a swim test involved, and you will also watch a video and take a test. The pool work involves learning to breathe underwater (not a natural thing to do AT ALL), instruction on what to do if you have trouble with your regulator, how to pop your ears, etc. This part lasts several hours. Then you will be taken out on a dive boat for a fairly shallow dive. The instructor will be there to guide you at all times. Similiar resort courses can cost well over $100 at other resorts, so if you've ever thought you might want to try out scuba, this is the place to do it.